The Rasp · Character

Mr. Deacon

A cheerful, well-read young man in a cell for a murder he may not have committed, whose fingerprints on the weapon make him the case's most inconvenient suspect.

supporting

Also known as Archie, Archibald Deacon, A. B. T. Deacon

First appearance: iii cock robin s house

As a supporting figure in The Rasp, Mr. Deacon is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The secretary who was in his room with witnesses during the time of the murder.

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See Mr. Deacon in III Book page

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Deacon is the man Scotland Yard has all but convicted: his alibi is broken, a hundred pounds from the dead man's bank sits in his collar-box, and his prints are on the wood-rasp. Yet he faces it with a composure that moves Gethryn — books, cigars, and a good counsel arranged, and a steady insistence that it will all come right. His courage and the suspicious neatness of the evidence against him make him the emotional center of the early mystery.

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The fuller portrait of Mr. Deacon sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. Deacon in iii cock robin s house

Character Web

29 connections

A slice of how Mr. Deacon sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Social
Other

Character groups

Suspects and witnesses
Secondary and background characters
Protagonist

+24 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because Dora Masterson’s confession—that she believes her own “senseless, vicious”…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Anthony Gethryn
professional · ambivalent
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
professional · ambivalent
Colonel Gethryn
social · positive
Anthony Gethryn
professional · ambivalent
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
professional · ambivalent
Anthony Gethryn
professional · ambivalent
Colonel Gethryn
social · positive
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
professional · ambivalent
Colonel Gethryn
social · positive

Anthony Gethryn
Mr. Deacon is a colleague or associate of Anthony Gethryn, likely involved in the investigation or related professional matters.
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
Mr. Deacon and Sir Arthur Digby-Coates have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues or business associates.
Colonel Gethryn
Colonel Gethryn and Mr. Deacon are social acquaintances, interacting within the story's social framework.
Anthony Gethryn
Mr. Deacon is a colleague or associate of Anthony Gethryn, likely involved in the investigation or related professional matters.
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
Mr. Deacon and Sir Arthur Digby-Coates have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues or business associates.
Anthony Gethryn
Mr. Deacon is a colleague or associate of Anthony Gethryn, likely involved in the investigation or related professional matters.
Colonel Gethryn
Colonel Gethryn and Mr. Deacon are social acquaintances, interacting within the story's social framework.
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
Mr. Deacon and Sir Arthur Digby-Coates have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues or business associates.
Colonel Gethryn
Colonel Gethryn and Mr. Deacon are social acquaintances, interacting within the story's social framework.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Deacon in iii cock robin s house

In the story

Mr. Deacon appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III
The secretary who was in his room with witnesses during the time of the murder.
Chapter II
Mentioned as John Hoode's secretary; declines the lunch invitation due to being busy.
Secretary and the Sister
Insists the murderer is not from the house; his alibi is later undermined by a maid's revised testimony.
I
The secretary accused of murder; his fingerprints are found on the weapon and stolen money is discovered in his room.
II
Prime suspect who explains his alibi and the birthday money from Hoode; maintains his innocence.
IX: The Inquest
The prime suspect; Anthony insists he is innocent despite the evidence against him.
I
Mentioned as the likely subject of a murder verdict, but Gethryn asserts his innocence.
II
Anthony shakes hands with him at the inquest.
III
Primary suspect due to fingerprints and circumstantial evidence, but Anthony doubts his guilt.
I
Arrested after the coroner's jury verdict; Anthony believes he is innocent.
The Bow and Arrow
Mentioned as the arrested suspect; Anthony notes that only his fingerprints are on the rasp handle, suggesting a deliberate setup.
Exhibits
In his cell, discusses the fingerprints and silk cord with Anthony, maintaining his innocence.
I
Archie Deacon, the accused, whose alibi fails because Dora did not meet him as planned.
XV: Anthony’s Busy Day
Prisoner awaiting transfer; discusses legal arrangements with Anthony.
I
Prisoner awaiting trial, discusses his financial situation and legal arrangements with Anthony.
Revelation and the Sparrow
Visited by Anthony in Greyne jail; delighted by the visit and awaiting Sir Edward Marshall.
I
Visited by Anthony in Greyne jail; delighted by the visit despite his flippancy.
XVII: By The Owl’s Commissioner
Discussed as the scapegoat whose fingerprints were planted on the murder weapon.
I
Mentioned as the freed man; Dora and Lucia's anxiety centers on his fate.
II
Returns to the house and announces his engagement to Dora.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Deacon unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Deacon in iii cock robin s house

See Mr. Deacon in III